- According to the opening Big Ten Championship odds at BetOnline, the Ohio State Buckeyes are favored to win the 2023 Big Ten Championship.
- After losing seven straight games to Ohio State, Michigan won consecutive games in 2021 and 2022.
- Ohio State will have a new starting quarterback for the 2023 season. C.J. Stroud, who was the starting QB in 2021 and 2022, was selected with the second overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Despite suffering recent losses to the Michigan Wolverines, oddsmakers have the Ohio State Buckeyes finishing on top of the Big Ten this season.
Currently, BetOnline has listed Ohio State as the +160 betting favorite to win the Big Ten. That being said, their bitter rival is not that far behind.
The Wolverines have the second-best odds to win the Big Ten at +180. They won the Big Ten Championship in 2021 and 2022. Michigan’s Big Ten titles coincide with wins over the Buckeyes in The Game.
To reach the Big Ten Championship Game, Michigan had to beat Ohio State in the regular season finale. In 2021, Michigan snapped a seven-game losing streak against Ohio State.
Michigan pulled away for a 42-27 win and landed in the Big Ten Championship Game for the first time ever. In 2011, the Big Ten introduced a conference championship game.
The Wolverines blew out the Hawkeyes by a score of 42-3 to capture the Big Ten title. It felt like a repeat the following season for Michigan.
They beat the Buckeyes, only this time it happened in Columbus, 45-23. In the Big Ten Championship Game, the Wolverines pulled away for a comfortable win over Purdue, 43-22.
Quarterback Battle To Replace C.J. Stroud
The Buckeyes haven’t had a quarterback problem for a long time. Since the Troy Smith era in 2006, Ohio State has been solidified at the quarterback position.
The Todd Boeckman years weren’t the most memorable, but for the most part, Ohio State has been able to insert new quarterbacks without any problems. Ohio State fans have been spoiled over the past five years when it comes to QBs.
He’s got the mindset. pic.twitter.com/fcwiDYxyZd
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) May 3, 2023
They’ve had Dwayne Haskins, Justin Fields, and Stroud at the controls. If we want to go further back, J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones were putting up big numbers. The Buckeyes should be in good shape again this season despite losing Stroud.
However, no roster decision has been made regarding the starter in 2023 for the Buckeyes. The most logical option appears to be five-star recruit, Kyle McCord. He has been with the program learning behind Stroud over the last two years.
McCord has passed for 606 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions in 13 career appearances. He primarily appeared in mop-up duty in blowouts. The true junior has a high ceiling, but has not secured the QB1 job yet.
Devin Brown remains a legitimate option for head coach Ryan Day. In November 2021, the four-star quarterback from Draper, Utah, de-committed from USC and joined the Buckeyes.
The redshirt freshman has been competing with McCord this spring for starting duties in Week 1 against Indiana. Most likely, Day will side with the safer option, McCord, for Week 1.
McCord has +2200 odds to win the 2023 Heisman Trophy.
Marvin Harrison Jr. Will Make The Transition Easy For New Starting QB
Currently, BetOnline has wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. in the mix for the first overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. Harrison Jr. has the third-best odds of going No. 1 at BetOnline.
Harrison Jr. is listed at +1000 odds, which only trails two highly coveted quarterbacks. USC’s Caleb Williams has the best odds at -400. Drake Maye of North Carolina is +400 to go off the board at No. 1 in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Can’t leave Marv one-on-one🥶@OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/3sdX85XrnY
— PFF College (@PFF_College) May 8, 2023
The offensive game plan should be simple for OC Brian Hartline. Harrison Jr., who is the son of Marvin Harrison, will be the star of the Buckeyes’ offense. When he was off the field last year, Stroud did not look nearly as competent.
Harrison Jr. collected 77 receptions and 1,263 yards on 16.4 yards per reception. Additionally, the 20-year-old found the end zone 14 times.
Whoever starts at quarterback should have an opportunity to play well in this system. When in doubt, find where Harrison Jr. is in the secondary, and big plays are likely to occur.
With +2000 odds to win the Heisman Trophy, Harrison Jr. is a spot ahead of McCord at BetOnline.
Starters On The Offensive Line Must Be Replaced
The Buckeyes also lost several talented starters on the offensive line. In addition to both starting tackles being gone, Ohio State will be looking at replacing their starting center as well. All three players were taken in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Paris Johnson Jr. was off the board to the Arizona Cardinals with the No. 6 overall pick in the Draft. Dawand Jones and Luke Wypler were also drafted last month.
Fortunately for Ohio State, recruiting quality offensive linemen has not been a concern in Columbus. When the Buckeyes lose top talent, they are typically replaced with the next generation of NFL prospects.
It will be interesting to see how quickly a new quarterback and offensive line can generate chemistry this season. Stroud benefited from having an elite offensive line protect him. We will see if this is true for McCord or Brown.
On defense, the Buckeyes lose talent on the defensive line. Interior lineman, Jerron Cage, signed as an undrafted free agent with the Saints. Also, Taron Vincent was invited to the Buffalo Bills’ rookie camp.
Edge rusher, Zach Harrison, was selected by the Falcons in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Meanwhile, Javonte Jean-Baptiste transferred to Notre Dame. That said, J.T. Tuimoloau has a strong chance of developing into an elite pass rusher in 2023.
Regardless, Ohio State’s defense should be in fine shape with cornerback Denzel Burke and linebacker Tommy Eichenberger returning. The Buckeyes should have depth in the secondary and linebacker as well.
On Saturday, September 2, the Buckeyes will open their 2023 season on the road against the Indiana Hoosiers.
